Tractatus de simplicium medicamentorum facultatibus. = A treatise of the nature and qualities of such simples as are most frequently used in medicines,: both purging, and others. Methodically handled, for the benefit of those that understand not the Latine tongue. To which is added: many compound medicines for most diseases incident to mankinde: as also two alphabeticall tables, very necessary for the reader. Together with, the explanation of all hard words or termes of art, whereby the vulgar may the better understand it. / By Robert Pemel, practitioner in physick, at Cranebrooke in Kent. Licensed and enterd according to order.

A Bole to cleanse the reins.

Take of Cassia newly drawn an ounce, of Rubarbe in powder four scruples, mixe them together and make a Bole, or lump.

Now seeing Rubarbe is of a mixt substance, as before is shewed; if you desire to open Obstructions, then give the infusion thereof; if you desire to bind and strengthen, give it in substance. And when you would give it more to purge then to binde, make but a gentle straining thereof; but if you would binde the body more then purge, strain it hard, that so more of the earthy substance may come forth.

Rubarbe by boiling loseth its purgative faculty.

Note, that there is a kinde of contrariety, or Antipathy between Rubarbe and Diagredium, for being put together in one Medicine they work very churlishly; yet I have observed that when Diagredium is put to an infusion of Rubarbe (being lightly strained) it worketh better then when Diagredium is gi∣ven with the substance of Rubarbe. This (I conceive) may be the cause why Confectio Hamech worketh so churlishly upon the stomach, for if you leave out the Rubarbe, and put in the more of Sene, you shall finde it to work better. And so in other compositions where the

substance of Rubarbe is put to Diagredium, you shall finde them to work churlishly.

Rubarbe may be cut into thin slices or pieces, and so taken with Raisons of the Sun, as Massaria gives counsel, f. 478.